Plumbly: Tripoli Residents Must Be Reminded to Keep City Secure despite Syrian Conflict

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly stated that his recent visit to Tripoli was a demonstration of the international community's support for the northern city, reported As Safir newspaper Friday.

He told the daily that the residents need to be reminded of their loyalties to the city and the need to keep it secure despite the conflict in Syria.

He stressed the need to tackle the spread of arms in Tripoli and overcome the tensions linked to the crisis in Syria.

The residents should resort to dialogue instead of force at the eruption of disputes, he remarked from Tripoli.

It may be difficult to avoid the tensions, but Tripoli can rise above them, noted the U.N. official.

Tripoli is not isolated from the rest of Lebanon and the unrest there are felt throughout the country, whose security, stability, and development is a priority for the U.N., said Plumbly.

He stated that his visit is aimed at discussing with officials how to reach viable solutions to the instability in Tripoli, adding that he hopes the United Nations' message that the Lebanese army and security forces need to be supported would be respected by all powers on the ground.

On this note, he lauded the Tripoli leadership's unanimous support to back the Lebanese army in its efforts to preserve stability and their assertion to disarm all gunmen and hold them accountable for their actions.

Tripoli used to be a symbol of coexistence among different religions and such an image needs to be remembered, he declared.

Plumbly voiced his concern over the repeated eruption of violence in the city, noting that given the current phase Lebanon is passing through, all sides should steer away from tensions and unrest.

They should adhere to sound policies, starting with the policy of disassociation and Baabda Declaration, which helped preserve calm and stability in Lebanon over two difficult years, he remarked.

Tripoli and Lebanon will be able to overcome the current difficulties, but it is unacceptable that more innocent victims fall while reaching this goal, he stressed.

Tripoli had witnessed numerous rounds of clashes between the rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen in connection to Syria.

The latest round was linked to the Syrian crisis, with Bab al-Tabbaneh supporting the rebels and Jabal Mohsen backing the country's regime.